Course Descriptions

Neuroscience Studies

NEUR 180 - Brain, Mind, and Behavior

A multidisciplinary investigation of behavior and the nervous system. Particular emphasis is placed on human processes of perception, cognition, learning, memory, and language. This course serves as the introductory course for the neuroscience studies major.

NEUR 240 - Principles of Learning and Behavior

This course provides an in-depth introduction to the principles and methods used in the study of how behavior changes as a function of experience. The emphasis will be on classical and operant conditioning principles and procedures, which have become the standard research technologies used in biomedical, psychopharmacological, and other animal laboratory research areas. The laboratory component is designed to give students experience with behavioral technology and data collection and analysis.

NEUR 244 - Cognitive Neuroscience

Cognitive neuroscience is a relatively recent discipline that combines cognitive science and cognitive psychology with biology and neuroscience to investigate how the brain enables the myriad of complex functions we know as the mind. This course will explore basic concepts and contemporary topics in the field, focusing in particular on the methods used in cognitive neuroscience research. Through lecture and lab sessions, students will learn to read and interpret primary source material, design and implement cognitive neuroscience studies, and present research in verbal and written forms. Overall, students will gain an appreciation for the amazing intricacy of the brain-mind relationship, as well as a sense of how this relationship may be understood eventually using cognitive neuroscience techniques. Group A course.

NEUR 246 - Exploring Sensation/Perception

An examination of the processes of sensation and perception. While the course features a strong emphasis on neurophysiology of sensation, classical approaches to the study of perception will also figure prominently. Particular emphasis will be placed on vision and somatosensation, including pain processes. Lecture and weekly 3.5 hour investigatory laboratory.

NEUR 248 - Behavioral Neuroscience

An examination of the role of the nervous system in the control of behavior. While the course features a systems approach to the investigation of sensory and perceptual mechanisms, molecular, cellular and cognitive components of the nervous system will also be discussed in the context of course topics. Particular emphasis is given to the nature of learning, memory, and motor processes, motivation, emotion, homeostasis, cognition, and human neuropsychology. The laboratory will be used for a variety of instructor-demonstrative and student participatory research and laboratory activities.

NEUR 300 - Directed Research

Students are involved and guided in conducting research within specific content areas approved by the supervising faculty. Research may be conducted individually or in small groups depending on the content area. Research groups meet regularly for presentation of background material, discussions of common readings, and reports on project status. Directed research is typically taken in the junior year and is open only to declared majors. Students will be assigned to sections by the supervising faculty.

NEUR 382 - Hormones and Behavior

This class will focus on the hormonal mechanisms of behavior in animals (including homo sapiens). Following introductory lectures, a series of topics will be explored, with a particular emphasis placed on those behaviors most directly mediated by hormonal activity (such as aggression, sexual and reproductive behaviors, stress responses, etc.).

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technique used to provide indirect measures of neural activity in healthy (and unhealthy) humans. Although the technique has been readily available to researchers for only about 20 years, its popularity and use has grown tremendously in the last 10, and we now see it influencing aspects of culture and society not traditionally based in biomedical research (i.e., law, politics, economics). This course will cover the mechanics of fMRI, evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and explore recent applications that have received wide and sometimes controversial media coverage. By the end of the course, students will understand essential components of the fMRI technique and be informed consumers of primary and secondary source reports involving brain imaging.

NEUR 389 - Inside the Animal Mind

Ever wondered what your dog is thinking or why your cat behaves a certain way? In this course students will be introduced to the questions and concepts in the study of animal cognition and the neurobiological basis for cognition. We will take a peek into the animal mind and show that many topics in animal cognition can be studied in an objective and scientific manner. The format of the seminar will include student led discussion of recent topics in the study of animal cognition. Topics may include: animal sensory abilities, abstract representations (e.g., numbers and time) cause and effect detection, memory and emotion systems and their neurobiological basis, insight and reasoning, theory of mind, and communication. Book chapters and journal articles will be employed to illustrate these concepts.

NEUR 390 - Pain and Suffering

This seminar-format course will examine both basic research and clinical aspects of pain and suffering. Following introductory lectures on suffering, pain and pain relief, a series of topics will be explored, including but not limited to: pain measurement in humans and animals; the ethics and use of experimental models in pain research; chronic pain; pain relief produced by drugs, acupuncture, hypnosis, and placebos; and learning processes that influence pain sensitivity. Features a student-led component. (4 credits)

NEUR 488 - Senior Seminar

This two-semester seminar provides an integrative view of neuroscience through study and discussion of current works arising from major sub-areas of the field. The seminar will generally follow a three-week cycle throughout the year. In the first week, students will read and discuss papers by an outside researcher from a discipline related to the program. In the second week, students will attend a talk given by that researcher. In the third week, students will critically discuss the research presented and consider how that work relates to work in other areas of neuroscience as well as their particular area of emphasis. Students will be expected to present to the group the research they themselves did in the research experience component of the major. Open to seniors; students must register for the course in both the fall and spring semesters. Course offered as S/N grading only.

NEUR 601 - Tutorial

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor and department chair.

NEUR 602 - Tutorial

Research methodology tutorial: Tutorial in research methodology; a minimum number of hours will be required in laboratory each week. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor and department chair required.

NEUR 603 - Tutorial

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor and department chair.

NEUR 604 - Tutorial

Frequency: Every semester.

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor and department chair.

NEUR 611 - Independent Project

This course provides an opportunity to pursue independent research or study on a topic in the field of neuroscience. This may be done with a faculty member at Macalester or at another college or university under direct supervision. Students must have the appropriate academic and coursework background before an independent study will be approved. Every semester.

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor and department chair.

NEUR 612 - Independent Project

This course provides an opportunity to pursue independent research or study on a topic in the field of neuroscience. This may be done with a faculty member at Macalester or at another college or university under direct supervision. Students must have the appropriate academic and coursework background before an independent study will be approved. Every semester.

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor and department chair.

NEUR 613 - Independent Project

This course provides an opportunity to pursue independent research or study on a topic in the field of neuroscience. This may be done with a faculty member at Macalester or at another college or university under direct supervision. Students must have the appropriate academic and coursework background before an independent study will be approved.

Frequency: Every semester.

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor and department chair.

NEUR 614 - Independent Project

This course provides an opportunity to pursue independent research or study on a topic in the field of neuroscience. This may be done with a faculty member at Macalester or at another college or university under direct supervision. Students must have the appropriate academic and coursework background before an independent study will be approved.

Frequency: Every semester.

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor and department chair.

NEUR 621 - Internship

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office.

NEUR 622 - Internship

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office.

NEUR 623 - Internship

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office.

NEUR 624 - Internship

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office.

NEUR 632 - Preceptorship

This preceptorship offers an opportunity for advanced students to become more involved in neuroscience courses by assisting faculty with teaching, particularly in laboratory settings.

Frequency: Every semester.

Prerequisite(s)

Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs.

NEUR 634 - Preceptorship

This preceptorship offers an opportunity for advanced students to become more involved in neuroscience courses by assisting faculty with teaching, particularly in laboratory settings.